Highlights

• Higher qualifying salaries for entry and mid-level foreign workers
  Applicants for the Q1 pass will have to earn at least $3,000 instead of $2,800.
• Policy changes to put S'poreans first
  The Government will continue to put S'poreans first by adjusting its policies on housing, education and employment. -myp
• Qualifying income ceiling for BTO flats, executive condos raised
  Income ceiling will be raised from $8,000 to $10,000 for BTO flats and from $10,000 to $12,000 for ECs.
• PM Lee highlights importance of active citizenship
  Recurring theme of this year's NDR was active citizenship and how Singaporeans should all play a part in nation-building.
• Ministers should not be culling cats or saving dogs: PM Lee
  He was encouraging Singaporeans to be more proactive and step forward to give constructive feedback and solutions.
• More affordable outpatient care for those with chronic illnesses
  The qualifying age for the Primary Care Partnership Scheme will be lowered from 65 to 40 years.
• Singaporeans to build Singapore together: PM
  PM Lee says there might be some side-effects or long lead times, and asks Singaporeans to be patient.
• Govt to help low-income families with elderly parents: PM Lee
  Measures include increasing Medifund support and number of beds in nursing homes.
• PM Lee to address housing, education and jobs
  In today's National Day Rally speech, PM Lee will also speak about how individuals and the community can help build a better Singapore.

Foreign Talent

• Qualifying salary for employment pass to go up
  Move to allay job concerns among white-collar Singaporeans and boost their employment prospects.
• A balanced approach on foreign talent
  PM Lee explained that foreign talents are necessary to reinforce local talent and attract high quality investments.

Education

• 2,000 more university places by 2015
  Increase in intake will go to Singaporeans only, assured PM Lee in his National Day Rally speech on Sunday.
• PM addresses intake of foreign students
  Local universities will expand their intakes to ensure Singaporean students have a chance at tertiary education.
• Scheme to pay for tertiary education of needy Malay-Muslim students expanded
  Govt will revise income ceiling for scheme that helps poorer Malay students pay for their tertiary education

Housing

• Income ceilings raised for singles
  Singles aged 35 or older with a monhly income of up to $5k are now eligible for a CPF housing grant of $15k along with a HDB concessionary loan, when they buy a resale flat. -myp
• New income ceiling to take place on Mon: Khaw
  National Development minister Khaw Boon Wan announced that the new income ceiling for HDB flats will come into effect on Monday.
• S'pore to sell more lower-cost homes directly to citizens
  Singapore will build more low-cost apartments and allow a larger number of citizens to buy homes directly from HDB. -Reuters
• HDB increases flat supply for first-time buyers
  HDB will launch 5,500 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats in September and 4,000 BTO flats in November.
• Qualifying income ceiling for BTO flats, executive condos raised
  Income ceiling will be raised from $8,000 to $10,000 for BTO flats and from $10,000 to $12,000 for ECs.

Singapore Spirit

• Kampung spirit's back, thanks to him
  When photographer Sam Kang Li found out that the PM would mention him during the National Day Rally, he was surprised, to say the least. -myp
• PM Lee highlights importance of active citizenship
  Recurring theme of this year's NDR was active citizenship and how Singaporeans should all play a part in nation-building.
• Singaporeans to build Singapore together: PM
  PM Lee highlights the "Singaporeans first" approach and policies that benefit Singaporeans, but there might be some side-effects or long lead times, and asks Singaporeans to be patient.

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Photos: ST

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